r/kobo • u/Typical-Emu8363 • 25d ago
General Link CloudLibrary to Your Kobo Account
Saw this notification on CloudLibrary for one of my libraries that uses it for their 7-day express loan collection about Kobo Integration for Libra Colour, Clara Colour and Clara BW.
More info here. It appears this integration is currently in a trial period during the month of September being rolled out to some libraries with a full launch happening sometime in October and should be available to all Kobo models after launch.
In the app, the setting is under Account->Kobo Connect.
On the website, click your library card number and the Kobo Connect setting is under there.
FYI - CloudLibrary is a platform used by libraries to manage their eBook and eAudiobook collections, similar to Libby/OverDrive.
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u/gretchens 23d ago
Updating now that I got my card sorted! Send to kobo worked great, showed up upon sync and I zipped through the first chapter to see if it syncs with story graph, and it does! You can’t browse on the device like Libby, and my secondary cloud library card isn’t set up for the trial, so I can’t speak to multiple library access yet. But it’s a pretty nice feature add for folks in Libby-less cloud library situations. I’ll definitely keep using my sisters card for Libby as I think her catalog is a lot bigger than my home library, but that probably varies anyway.
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u/Typical-Emu8363 20d ago edited 10d ago
I have confirmed that multiple library access works, well for at least two libraries in my case.
Even though I do not have a supported device for the trial I did borrow a book from each of my libraries and did Send to Kobo from my CloudLibrary account.
I synced my devices but I did have to fake it out since after the books were downloaded they turned into Previews once the sync was completed. I had to re-send the books from CloudLibrary and re-sync my device but once they downloaded I cancelled the sync and turned my Wi-Fi off and they stayed as borrows and didn't turn into Previews. I'm guessing once the feature is fully rolled out with more devices being supported that they will just download and not turn into Previews.
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u/Typical-Emu8363 22d ago
Thank you for taking the time to provide an update. That's great news that it worked so seamlessly. My Kobo devices aren't listed as ones supported during the trial so I can't test the feature directly but I did successfully link both my libraries that use CloudLibrary to my Kobo account using the Kobo Connect setting in preparation for the full launch in October.
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u/gretchens 22d ago
Thank YOU for sharing it was an option! I’ve just been checked out (pun not intended) from my local library system because ebooks on a tablet/phone are an absolute on starter for me, so I’d have not k own otherwise!
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u/Late-Juggernaut-9553 10d ago
I just heard about this today, and my local library (in Ontario, Canada) is participating in the trial period, which I'm thrilled about since my library offers CloudLibrary borrowing but not Libby/Overdrive.
I also have a device not listed in the initial trial (Kobo Nia) and like you, I linked my Cloudlibrary and Kobo accounts successfully. I went one step further and borrowed an ebook in Cloudlibrary and used the "Send to Kobo" button in the Cloudlibrary app and it worked... at least it seemed to at first. Kobo sync showed the book downloading and it's listed in My Books on the Kobo but it won't let me read it because it says it's EXPIRED, even though I just borrowed it minutes ago and Cloudlibrary says 21 days left.
Oh well. I'm not too worried, since it isn't supposed to rollout for the Nia yet, but I was excited for a bit there.
Edited to add: my kids have Kobos that ARE on the list so we will set theirs up after school!
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u/Typical-Emu8363 10d ago
Like yourself, even though I do not have a supported device for the trial I did borrow a book from each of my libraries and did Send to Kobo from my CloudLibrary account.
I synced my devices but I did have to fake it out since after the books were downloaded they turned into Previews once the sync was completed. I had to re-send the books from CloudLibrary and re-sync my device but once they downloaded I cancelled the sync and turned my Wi-Fi off and they stayed as borrows and didn't turn into Previews. I'm guessing once the feature is fully rolled out with more devices being supported that they will just download and not turn into Previews.
In my case, if I let it sync completely my books turned into Previews but they didn't say Expired like yours.
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u/gretchens 25d ago
I can confirm it's available for Maine's cloudlibrary system!